I am building A M2A1 half track from dragon and on the side are mounted two cans (one on each side) so I am not sure if they are water or fuel cans. They look like this.
https://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/18087/thumbs/024.jpg
That way I can add the correct cans (fuel or water) to show both within the vehicle.
I think they are water cans but I am unsure.

Yes, I'm pretty sure they are water cans, the first American water cans available in styrene, apparently.

Paul

Thanks Paul for the help

I think they used the same kind of water cans both for water and fuel, and even other liquids, but the etched cross was painted differently... if I well remember, if the can contained waer it was white, and red for fuel, but definitely someone else can give you better info!

yup, these guys look like they are WW2 american water cans as they have the flip top lid as opposed to the screw type lid for fuel cans

So if the cross is red they contain fuel and if the cross is white they contain water? I want to depict them as water cans.

Hi Sam,

as mentioned before by Paul. these are the water cans. The first released in styrene.
Gas can and water cans are different, as stated by Sonny. Water cans have the flip top lid.
That's the external difference. Internally the coating is different, as required by Federal Standards for potable waters. The Jerry cans, water and fuel, look the same, but the show the different internal coatings too. With the Bundeswehr, we had the nozzle of the watter cans marked white, contrary to the Wehrmacht that marked there water cans with white crosses.

Greetz

Hauke

Giacomo's information might be misleading. They are water cans because they have the flip top lid -- nothing about white or red crosses.

Fuel cans had a twist top. This allowed identification of the contents even at night.

Sam: in modelling them, just attach them. Every soldier would know that they contained water.


The Germans and British cans had similar lid differences -- distinguishable by touch.

BTW, German cans with water had the white cross on the outside. If you see a German can with a white "W", it was NOT for "Wasser" but for a cold-weather fuel mixture. These cans also had a metal tab on the lid to identify them as such, too.

Roy is correct, there is a distinct difference between fuel and water cans in US use. In 1/35 scale, it is mainly the look of the cap as he states.

Everything your little hearts desire can be found here:
Military Jerry Cans for Gasoline and Water

i knew it.. the british/german style spout is not on center. i'm always curious about the deep line on the center.

The deep line on the jerry can centerline is a weld seam. Different manufacturers and different nationalities had different welding processes, so the seams often don't look the same, but they are almost always visible. So don't fill and sand that seam! Sometimes, it should actually be built up!

Thanks for all the info guys!!